The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fifth Class James Louis Martin (ASN: US-54967472), United States Army, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 16 June 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Martin was serving as a rifleman with his company during a reconnaissance in force operation northwest of Saigon. As the unit proceeded through the rice fields in the area, it was subjected to a heavy volume of hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire. Specialist Martin immediately assumed a good firing position and began placing rapid and accurate fire on the insurgents. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he crawled to within 10 meters of an enemy bunker and hurled a hand grenade into it, causing its destruction. Specialist Martin again exposed himself to the hail of hostile rounds as he maneuvered toward another hostile position, but the occupants detected his movement and raked the area about him with heavy fire. He then killed a Viet Cong soldier who was closing upon his location and proceeded toward a third enemy entrenchment. As he assaulted this position, Specialist Martin was mortally wounded by hostile fire. The extraordinary example of selfless courage and aggressiveness he gave his comrades inspired them to continue to fight vigorously until the insurgents were repelled. Specialist Fifth Class Martin’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.